How many pairs of shoes should I bring?

Two maximum. One pair of comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, plus flip flops or lightweight sandals. Shoes are the heaviest items in your pack - more than two pairs will kill your back.

What if I'm going to different climates?

Layer strategically instead of packing for every climate. Base layers + shirts + fleece + rain jacket covers most situations. Buy or ship specific items (winter coat, formal clothes) only when you actually need them.

How often should I do laundry?

Once a week minimum. This keeps you from overpacking and maintains basic hygiene. Most hostels have laundry facilities or there are laundromats nearby. Budget 1-2 hours for washing and drying.

Should I bring jeans?

Only one pair maximum, and only if you really love them. Jeans are heavy, take forever to dry, and offer no performance benefits. Synthetic travel pants look almost as good and perform much better.

What about underwear and socks?

Bring enough for one week plus 2-3 extra. Merino wool or synthetic moisture-wicking fabrics only - cotton underwear and socks are miserable when traveling. ExOfficio and Smartwool make excellent travel-specific options.

How to pack clothes for long-term backpacking

Pack 7-10 days worth of clothes maximum, choosing merino wool and synthetic fabrics that layer, dry quickly, and work in multiple climates. Stick to 2-3 colors that mix and match, and plan to do laundry weekly.

Choose your base colors. Pick 2-3 neutral colors that all work together - like navy, gray, and olive. Everything you pack should coordinate with everything else. Avoid white (shows dirt) and bright colors (limit outfit combinations).
Pack the minimums. 7 underwear, 7 pairs of socks, 3-4 t-shirts, 2 long-sleeve shirts, 1-2 pants, 1 shorts, 1 warm layer, 1 rain jacket. That's it. You'll do laundry weekly.
Choose fabrics that work. Merino wool for base layers and socks (doesn't smell, regulates temperature). Synthetic blends for everything else (dry fast, pack small). Avoid cotton except for maybe one comfortable t-shirt.
Test the layer system. Make sure your clothes layer together for different climates. Base layer + shirt + fleece + rain jacket should handle most weather. Pants that work with shorts underneath for extra warmth.
Pack one nice outfit. One collared shirt or blouse and one pair of pants that can pass for semi-dressy occasions. You'll need this for nice restaurants, religious sites, or unexpected formal situations.
Roll everything tightly. Roll clothes instead of folding - takes up 30% less space. Use packing cubes to compress further and keep dirty/clean separated. Put heaviest items (jeans, boots) closest to your back.

How many pairs of shoes should I bring?: Two maximum. One pair of comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots, plus flip flops or lightweight sandals. Shoes are the heaviest items in your pack - more than two pairs will kill your back.
What if I'm going to different climates?: Layer strategically instead of packing for every climate. Base layers + shirts + fleece + rain jacket covers most situations. Buy or ship specific items (winter coat, formal clothes) only when you actually need them.
How often should I do laundry?: Once a week minimum. This keeps you from overpacking and maintains basic hygiene. Most hostels have laundry facilities or there are laundromats nearby. Budget 1-2 hours for washing and drying.
Should I bring jeans?: Only one pair maximum, and only if you really love them. Jeans are heavy, take forever to dry, and offer no performance benefits. Synthetic travel pants look almost as good and perform much better.
What about underwear and socks?: Bring enough for one week plus 2-3 extra. Merino wool or synthetic moisture-wicking fabrics only - cotton underwear and socks are miserable when traveling. ExOfficio and Smartwool make excellent travel-specific options.